Article and method of manufacture of an improved safety women&#39;s high heel shoe

ABSTRACT

A women&#39;s high heel shoe and method of manufacturing, the shoe having improved safety and usability features including an improved traction shoe sole and an improved yet stylish narrowed high heel that terminates in a widened heel tip with improved traction and reduced surface penetration susceptibility.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/807,742, filed Apr. 2, 2013, as well as U.S. Design patentapplication No. 29/472,829, filed Nov. 15, 2013. The disclosures ofthese applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to man-made shoes and, more specifically,to man-made women's high heel shoes having anti-slip, anti-abrasionand/or anti-catch soles and heels.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Although athletic and some casual shoes have had patterned soles and/orextended structures on such soles for improved traction on varyingsurfaces, many dress shoes including women's high heel shoes.High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heel of the wearer'sfoot significantly higher than the toes. High heels tend to give theaesthetic illusion of longer, more slender legs, which are attractivefeminine features and serve as a status symbol. Many industry expertsconsider high heels as heels ranging from 2 inches to 5 inches inheight, though these are unscientific measurements. These high fashionwomen's high heel shoes traditionally have smooth soles. This is true ofboth natural leather soles, as well as synthetic soles such as those ofsuede, rubber or sueded-rubber. Such soles do not necessarily offeroptimum traction and on certain surfaces such as wet surfaces, wearersof such dress shoes having such soles often encounter slipping onsmooth, wet or slippery surfaces. As such, these shoes are fashionableand provide an aesthetic benefit to the wearer, there are a number ofreasons the women often chose not to wear such shoes on certainoccasions. These include situations where they may not be practical orwhere a safety issue may be present. In certain situations, the wearerof high heels may be vulnerable to injury due to unstable ground, slickor wet surfaces, surfaces that include cracks or holes or other types ofterrain such as when exposed to common hazards such as metal grates,drains, hole-covered sidewalks, decks having spaced apart wood planks,and/or cracked surfaces. For example, they are often not easily,comfortably or safely worn on any non-hardened surface. Wearers ofexisting high heel shoes have gotten their heels stuck in various cracksand holes or penetrable surfaces with the result being a loss of footingand potential falls.

Thus, an invention that allows for greater stability with high heels, inaddition to anti-slip and anti-abrasion utility would providesignificant benefits to consumers and wearers of high heels. The priorart related to various efforts have included adding on an outerextendable layer, cutting an opening in a shoe sole, particularly aleather shoe sole, for the affixing of a rubber insert with a glue oradhesive compound so that the rubber insert protrudes beyond the surfaceof the sole to provide additional traction. Further, this can also beperformed through automated molding of a synthetic sole having theanti-skid insert provided without having to cut an opening in the sole.In such prior art, molds are provided accepting different materials inone or two molding steps for providing an insert of portion of the solehaving a higher surface friction than other portions of the sole beingmolded.

Furthermore, such existing inserts may be viewed as being stylish forathletic shows, but are not view as being desirable from a visualperspective for shows of high style such as women's high heel shoes.

Further, women's high heel shoes have a high or elevated shoe heel thatextends downward either towards a heel end or heal tip or cap having asole portion for the heel that is often significantly narrowed (referredto as a stiletto heal) or relative straight or is a bulky heal (referredto as a chunky heal). While stylish, these elongated heels often causethe wearer to get their heels caught in various manners such as in holesor grates or cracks on the walking surface such as iron grates, andcracks in wood floors, by ways of example. Further, the heels andtherefore the shoes are often restrictive as to the surface upon whichthey can be comfortably and safely worn. However, the production of suchsoles is relatively time-consuming and labor-intensive as compared tothe production of smooth soles and are not often used in women's highheel shoes as they are viewed has detracting from the fashionable imageof the shoe.

The inventor hereof has created improvements to the design of women'shigh heel shoes to address these limitations in the prior art whilestill maintaining the high heel shoe as fashionable and stylishfootwear.

SUMMARY

The inventor hereof has succeeded at designing a high heel shoe assemblythat allows for greater stability with high heels, in addition toanti-slip and anti-abrasion utility would provide significant benefitsto consumers and wearers of high heels. This can include, in someembodiments a high heel shoe with a man-made sole and heel for a woman'shigh heel show that are stylish as well as having improved traction andthat are more comfortable and safe for wearing on walking surfaceshaving holes, cracks or that are penetrable.

According to one aspect, a sole for a women's high heel shoe includes asole base, a cavity and an insert. The sole base includes a lower sole,a mid-sole and an upper sole. The lower sole is positioned at a front ofthe shoe for supporting a ball and toes of a wearer of the high heelshoe and an upper sole positioned at a back of the shoe for supportingthe heel of the wearer. The back of the sole provides for attaching orhaving an integrated high heel of the shoe. The sole includes a soleshank defined between the lower sole and the upper sole. The sole basehas an outer perimeter defines the shape of the sole base by an exposedsidewall. The outer perimeter defines the shape of the lower sole, theshank sole, and the upper sole. The sole base also defines a top solebase surface and a bottom base surface. The sole base is composed of asole base material. The sole includes a cavity in the lower sole basehaving a shape that conforms to a shape of the lower sole. The cavityhas a cavity perimeter that is set back or spaced apart inwardly fromthe outer perimeter defining the lower sole and defines an outsole therebetween. The cavity defines a raised cavity wall about a perimeter ofthe cavity. The insert is positioned in the cavity and is coupled to thesole base material. The insert has an insert shape defined by aperiphery that is substantially the same as the shape of the cavity. Theinsert has an outer edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottomsurface of the insert includes one or more anti-skid features. Theinsert is composed of an insert material selected from a material havinganti-skid characteristics and that is a different material than the solematerial.

According to another aspect, a method of making a lower sole for awomen's high heel shoe includes providing a shoe sole base that has alower sole positioned at a front of the shoe for supporting a ball andtoes of a wearer of the high heel shoe. The sole base also has an uppersole positioned at a back of the shoe for supporting the heel of thewearer and for attaching or having an integrated heel of the shoe. Thesole base also has a shank sole defined between the lower sole and theupper sole. The base has an outer perimeter defining the shape of theupper sole and an exposed sidewall thereof, the shank sole and the lowersole. The outer perimeter defines the perimeter of an upper base surfaceand a bottom base surface. The sole is provided to be composed of a solebase material. The method includes creating a cavity in the lower solebase having a shape that conforms to a shape of the lower sole. Thecavity has a cavity perimeter that is set back or otherwise spaced apartfrom the outer perimeter defining the lower sole and defines an outsolethere between. The cavity includes a defined raised cavity wall that isabout a perimeter of the cavity. The method also includes creating aninsert having an insert shape defined by a periphery that issubstantially the same as the shape of the cavity. The insert is createdto have an outer edge, a top surface and a bottom surface with thebottom surface having one or more anti-skid features thereon. The insertis composed of an insert material selected from a material havinganti-skid characteristics and that is composed of a different materialthan the sole material. The method includes inserting the insert intothe cavity and coupling the insert to the base material after insertionin the cavity.

According to yet another aspect, a heel for a women's high heel shoeincludes a heel main body having a proximal end defining an upperattachment portion, a heel distal end and a heel shank defined therebetween. The proximal end can be configured for attachment to a heelportion of a shoe sole base and has a widened dimension corresponding toan outer periphery thereof. The distal end has an outer periphery withan outer dimension that in some embodiments is between about 0.9 andabout 1.25 inches, and in one embodiment is one inch. The heel shank ormiddle portion of the heel has a comparatively narrowed neck portionwith an outer dimension that is less than the outer dimension of thedistal end or proximate end. In some embodiments the heel shank has anouter dimension that is visibly less that the outer dimension of thedistal end and is between 0.25 and 0.40 inches, and in one embodiment isbetween about 0.3 and about 0.36 inches.

According to still another aspect, a women's high heel shoe includes ashoe sole base that has a lower sole positioned at a front forsupporting a ball and toes of a wearer of the high heel shoe and anupper sole position at a back for supporting the heel of the wearer andfor attaching a heel of the shoe and a shank sole defined between thelower sole and the upper sole. The base has an outer perimeter definingthe shape of the upper sole and an exposed sidewall thereof, the shanksole and the lower sole, and defining the perimeter of an upper basesurface and a bottom base surface. The sole is composed of a sole basematerial. A cavity is formed in the lower sole base having a shape thatconforms to a shape of the lower sole. The cavity has a cavity perimeterthat is set back from the outer perimeter and defines the lower sole anddefines an outsole there between. The cavity defines a raised cavitywall about a perimeter of the cavity. An insert is positioned in thecavity and is coupled to the sole base material. The insert has aninsert shape defined by a periphery that is substantially the same asthe shape of the cavity. The insert has an outer edge, a top surface,and a bottom surface with the bottom surface including a plurality ofanti-skid features. The insert is composed of an insert materialselected from an material having anti-skid characteristics and beingdifferent than the sole material. A heel main body has a proximal enddefining an upper attachment portion, a heel distal end and a heel shankdefined there between. The proximal end is configured for attachment toa heel portion of a shoe sole base and having a wide dimensioncorresponding to an outer periphery thereof. The distal end has an outerperiphery with an outer dimension of at least about one inch, and theheel shank has a substantially narrowed neck portion with an outerdimension substantially less than the outer dimension of the distal end.

Further aspects of the present disclosure will be in part apparent andin part pointed out below. It should be understood that various aspectsof the disclosure may be implemented individually or in combination withone another. It should also be understood that the detailed descriptionand drawings, while indicating certain exemplary embodiments, areintended for purposes of illustration only and should not be construedas limiting the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side isometric view of a shoe assembly according to oneexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the shoe according to one exemplaryimplementation of the shoe shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3C are cut away cross-sectional views of a ball area of a shoesole assembly along Section A-A according to a first exemplaryembodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4C are cut away cross-sectional views of a ball area of a shoesole assembly along Section A-A according to a second exemplaryembodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5C are cut away cross-sectional views of a ball area of a shoesole assembly along Section A-A according to a third exemplaryembodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6F are illustrations of a heel for a women's shoe having awidened star-shaped heel tip according to some exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7F are illustrations of a heel for a women's shoe having awidened flower petal-shaped heel tip according to some exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a heel according to some embodiments on aperforated/grated walking surface.

It should be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure or the disclosure'sapplications or uses.

In some embodiment, a sole for a women's high heel shoe includes a solebase, a cavity and an insert. The sole base has a front, middle and backas oriented from the front or toes of a foot backward towards the heel.The front includes a lower sole positioned at a front of the shoe forsupporting a ball and toes of a wearer of the high heel shoe. The uppersole is positioned at a back of the shoe for supporting the heel of thewearer. The back of the sole provides for attaching or having anintegrated high heel of the shoe. The sole includes a sole shank definedbetween the lower sole and the upper sole. The sole base can be formedof a sole base material that can be any suitable material and in someembodiments is leather or can be a man-made material composition such asa polymer or rubber, by way of example. The sole base has an outerperimeter defining the shape of the sole and therefore the shoe. Theouter perimeter, in that that the sole base has a width between a topsurface and an bottom surface, defines an exposed sidewall for each ofthe upper sole, the shank sole and the lower sole.

The sole includes a cavity that is formed or cut or otherwise created inthe lower sole of the sole base for receiving an insert. The cavity andthe insert are formed to have similar or matching outer shapes so thatthe insert fits within the cavity. The cavity further can be shaped toconform to the shape of the lower sole such as that portion below theball of the foot or the ball and toes of the foot of the wearer. Thecavity has a cavity perimeter that is set back or spaced apart inwardlyfrom the outer perimeter defining the lower sole and defines an outsolebetween the perimeter of the cavity and the perimeter of the sole baseat the side wall, e.g., the outsole as defined herein is the portion ofthe sole base between the defined cavity and any insert positionedtherein and the outer perimeter defining the side wall of the sole base.

The cavity defines a raised cavity wall within the body of the sole basethat is about a perimeter of the cavity. The insert is dimensioned andformed to be positioned in the cavity and coupled or otherwise fixedlypositioned within the cavity of the sole base. The insert has an insertshape defined by a periphery that is substantially the same as the shapeof the cavity, but can have a thickness or depth from the bottomcontacting surface to the top surface which is inserted first into thecavity. The insert has an outer edge, a top surface that is insertedfirst into the cavity and a bottom surface that includes one or moreanti-skid features thereon for providing an increased friction againstthe walking surface. To further aid in a slip resistant use, the insertis composed of an insert material selected from a material havinganti-skid characteristics in addition to the one or more anti-skidfeatures. As such, the insert is composed of a material that isdifferent that the material of the sole base.

The insert is positioned in the cavity of the lower sole base forproviding an improved anti-skid surface for contacting the walkingsurface. The insert is further dimensioned to make contact with thewalking surface and in some embodiments has a portion that extendsdownward towards the walking surface and extends out of the cavity andbeyond the bottom surface of the sole base.

The cavity and insert arrangements can vary and can be of any shape orarrangement and can be configured in any suitable manner for securingthe insert into and/or within the cavity. This can include securement orattachment of the insert to the sole base or to another component of theshoe such as a mid-sole positioned above the top surface of the solebase, or to the insole in some embodiments. The insert can be coupled tothe sole base or to the mid-sole by an adhesive, or by sewing.

In one embodiment, the cavity in the sole base formed to include agroove along at least a portion of the raised cavity wall between thetop surface of the sole body and spaced apart from the bottom surface ofthe sole. In other embodiments, rather than a groove, the cavity wallcan be inwardly sloped or curved or shaped for engagement with the outerperiphery of the insert for coupling thereto. Where a groove is formedin the cavity wall, the insert can include a protrusion about all or aportion of the periphery of the insert that corresponds to a matingportion of the raised cavity wall having the groove formed therein. Inthis manner, the mating of the insert into the groove can provide for atleast a portion of the securement of the insert. The insert can becoupled to the sole base material at least in part by placement of theprotrusion of the insert into the corresponding groove of the raisedcavity wall and an adhesive can be added to one or both.

The cavity as described can be a cavity that is only a partial cavity inthe sole base that defines a cavity surface that is a predefined depthfrom an outer or bottom surface of the sole base, defined from thebottom sole surface down by the cavity wall to a bottom cavity surface.In other embodiments, the cavity can be a through hole in the sole base.

In the embodiments where the cavity is only a partial cavity having acavity bottom surface, the insert can be coupled to the sole base by anadhesive that can be placed between the upper surface of the insertand/or the bottom cavity surface of the sole base prior to placement ofthe insert within the cavity. This can be in additional to any adhesivearound the cavity wall or the interlocking of the sidewalls with theedges or formations thereon of the insert, such as the groove andprotrusion or sloped or curved or otherwise mating wall surfaces asdescribed above.

In another embodiment, a method of making a lower sole for a women'shigh heel shoe includes providing a shoe sole base that includes a lowersole positioned at a front for supporting a ball and toes of a wearer ofthe high heel shoe and an upper sole position at a back for supportingthe heel of the wearer and for attaching a heel of the shoe and a shanksole defined between the lower sole and the upper sole. The base, cavityand insert are as described above. The method of making can includeforming the sole base and creating a cavity in the lower sole basehaving a shape that conforms to a shape of the lower sole. This creatingcan be by cutting, molding, shaping or other suitable means. Whenleather is used as the sole base, cutting or pressing may be used. Wherea molded sole base is used, the cavity can be formed during the solebase molding process. The created cavity has the cavity perimeter thatis set back from the outer perimeter defining the lower sole anddefining an outsole there between and defines a raised cavity wall abouta perimeter of the cavity. The insert is created by cutting or moldingto have an insert shape defined by a periphery that is substantially thesame as the shape of the cavity. The insert is created to have an outeredge, a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface includingone or more anti-skid features. As noted above, the insert can becomposed of an insert material selected from a material having anti-skidcharacteristics and being different than the sole material. The nextstep is the inserting of the insert into the cavity and the coupling ofthe insert within the cavity or to the sole or to a mid-sole base orinner sole or other component of the shoe. This coupling secures theinsert within the cavity to become an integral and fixed part of theshoe sole.

The creation of the shoe sole and the cavity can be performed in asingle molding process where a non-leather sole base is utilized. Themold can be filled with different compositions for the sole base withthe outsole as compared to the composition material for the insert. Theinsert can be formed to include one or more or in many embodiments aplurality of anti-skid features on the bottom of the surface of theinsert using a molding process. These can include an anti-skid patter ofprotruding features. The insert can also be made not of a singlecomposition but of more than one composition such that certain of theanti-skid features are composed of a material having a different, suchas increased, friction or softness or pliability, as compared to otherfeatures of the insert.

As noted above, the method can include forming a groove or other featureor shape of at least a portion of the cavity wall that is between theouter surface of the sole body and spaced apart from the bottom surfaceof the cavity. This can include creating a groove along the wall eitherbetween the top and bottom of the wall or can be a groove or notchedformation at the bottom of the wall adjacent to the bottom surface ofthe cavity. Similarly, the creation of the insert can include making amating component to the wall formation or feature such as forming aprotrusion about all or a portion of the periphery of the insertcorresponding to a mating portion of the raised cavity wall having thegroove formed therein. In such embodiments, the process of couplingincludes placing the protrusion of insert into the corresponding grooveof the raised cavity wall. This can also include in some embodiments,applying an adhesive to at least one of the groove and the protrusionprior to the placing of the protrusion into the groove. Where a throughcavity is not created, this can also include coupling the upper surfaceof the insert to the bottom cavity surface of the sole such as beapplying an adhesive.

Wherein the cavity is a through cavity extending between the bottom solebase surface and the top sole base surface, the cavity wall matingfeatures can also be formed and coupled as described above. However, insuch embodiments, the top surface of the insert cannot be secured to thebottom of the cavity surface as it is a through cavity. However, theinsert can be secured such as by an adhesive to a mid-sole or inner solecomponent of the shoe.

In some embodiments, an assembly of a women's high heel shoe includes aheel. The heel includes a main heel body having a proximal end definingan upper attachment portion for attaching to the sole base or othercomponent forming the sole of the shoe directly supporting the foot ofthe wearer. In some embodiments, the proximal end can be integrallyformed with the heel sole base. Below the heel proximal end is a middleportion of middle or shank of the heel. This portion extends downwardfrom the proximal end and the wide area of the sole base associatedtherewith, and significantly narrows to have a narrowed cross-sectionalarea near the center or at a narrowed portion. From there, the heelwidens downward to a heel distal end that can include a heel tip or capfor contacting the walking surface. As noted the proximal end and thedistal end are wider than the heel shank which is in the middle definedthere between. The proximal end can have a width of the bottom of awomen's heel that can range, by way of example, between about 1.375 toabout 1.75 inches, or could be more or less. In contrast, the width ofthe cross-sectional area of the shank or narrowest portion of the heel,at least as viewed from the rear of the shoe, can range between about0.25 and about 0.14 inches, by way of example. This can include in someembodiments, a shank width of between about 0.3 and about 0.4 inches andin one embodiment is about 0.31 inches and in another embodiment isabout 0.36 inches. The shape of the shank can be of any cross-sectionalshape including a circle, an oval, a parallelogram, or otherwise.

The widened distal end can have a range of cross sectional widths ofbetween about 0.8 inches to about 1.25 inches and in one embodiment isabout 0.89 inches, in a second embodiment is about 0.99 inches and inanother embodiment is about 1.0 inches. The widened distal end providesthe heel tip that is considerably wider than the shank width, but thatprovides a stable and widened heel tip that contacts the walkingsurface. While the shank of the heel provides the thin and desirablenarrowed shape of a stylish high heel of between 2 and 3 or more inches,the widened distal end provides a heel tip that can prevent the heelfrom getting caught in holes, slots or soft walking surfaces.

In some embodiments, the heel having the combination of widths asdescribed above is considered to have a substantially narrowed neck orshank portion with an outer dimension substantially less than the outerdimension of the distal end. This substantial difference or comparativedifference in the widths is relative to the dimensions typically usedfor a high heel shoe as known to one of skill in the art and is notorders of magnitude but comparative visually substantially different.The selection of the combinations of the various sizes allows fordesigners of shoes to design shoes with high heels, but that provide forthe safe utilitarian aspects of the widened heel tip in a stylisticmanner.

Further, the distal end can include a heel tip with a surface contactportion coupled to the distal end that is composed of a non-skidmaterial. This can include a single material, a material that is similarto that of the insert, multiple materials or compositions havingdifferent frictional characteristics, or can include on or moreanti-skid features such as patterns.

The distal end can be formed to have any shape that may be desirable bythe design of the shoe, such as a polygon, a regular convex polygon, anequiangular polygon, circle, an oval, a star shape, flower shape, andany such with rounded corners or other features. Whatever shape ischosen, the width, cross sectional area and shape is preferred to limitany retention of the distal end in a hole or crack or would otherwisecatch or restrain the heel tip in a feature of the walking surface.

In some embodiments, the upper sole and lower sole of the shoe are onecontinuous piece. The shell of the shoe may have a cavity where the ballof the foot and toes would be so that the sole then protrudes throughthat hole and is stabilized. The sole's construction offers comfort forthe foot and the anti-slip element, adding general stability with eachstride. The sole may be lined with padding and covered so that theappearance of the inside of the shoe is not that of tire tread but morein-line with the outside aesthetic of the shoe for visual purposes.Additional anti-abrasion features may be added to the footwear,including but not limited to, steel-toed or steel-rimmed parts of thefootwear, weather-proof materials, or cushion-like components thatreduce normal wear and tear.

Referring now to the exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings,FIG. 1 illustrates a women's high heel shoe 100 includes a sole 102having a front portion 104 (associated with the toes and a least aportion of the vamp), a shank portion 106 (associated with the instep)and a rear or back portion 109 (associated with a heel), that later ofwhich forms the back edge 126. The shoe upper 120 includes a frontportion 129 that has an upper vamp portion 124 (referred herein as vamp124) that defines a toe cavity 125 with a front or toe tip 122. The shoeupper 120 also has a mid-portion and a heel portion 128. An insole 118is positioned on a top surface of the sole 102 within the shoe upper 120for providing a cushioned material and/or a support layer for thewearer's foot.

The sole 102 defines an outer sole periphery defined by an exposed sidewall 114. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front portion 104 of the sole102 that is proximate to and below the portion where the ball of thefoot is located within the shoe 100 includes an anti-skid insert 112 onthe bottom surface thereof that includes one or more anti-skid features(not shown) that can be a pattern or a plurality of raised anti-skidprotrusions of features arranged on or about the bottom surface ofinsert 112. The insert is formed within the front portion 104 whileretaining a portion of the sole base 102 so that an outsole 115 isformed between the side wall 114 and the insert 112. In this manner, thesole

The shoe 100 also includes heel 108 that is formed with the sole 102 orattached thereto during assembly. The heel 108 typically intersects withthe sole 102 at a heel to sole intersection 110 at which the proximalend 130 is attached or coupled or integrally formed with the sole base102. The proximal end is directly below and supports the back portion109 and has a width that is associated with the width of the backportion 109 or can be narrower. The heel 108 then narrows downwardly toa shank portion 138 in the middle of the high heel 108 as describedabove. From this narrowed shank portion, the closer to the heel tip 134,the width of the heel 108 widens to form the widened distal end 135 ofthe heel. The distal end 135 can also be configured with an attached orintegrally formed heel tip 134. The heel tip 134 (also referred often asthe top lift, the heel tip, heel cap and/or the top piece) can be madeof a non-skid material. This can include one or more materials orformations such as shown in FIG. 2. As shown here, the distal heel end132 includes a widened distal end 135 with a heel tip 134. As shown theheel tip 134 includes an outer portion 137 and an inner portion 141. Theinner portion 141 can be made of a material that has improved tractionor non-skid characteristics but can also be shaped to have a style ortrademark appearance.

The shoe 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 also includes a heel plate 143 positionedon the heel portion 128 at the rear of the shoe. This heel plate 143 canprovide protection for the heel of the shoe such as when the wearer isdriving a car or sitting or against other scuffs to the rear of the shoeas are currently common among such shoes. Further, the heel plate 143can include a trademark or other indicator (not shown).

FIGS. 3A-C, 4A-C and 5A-C are each are cross-sectional views of sectionA-A of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating three exemplary embodiments of theformation of the sole base 102. Each “A” figure illustrates the shoe 100with the vamp 124 and toe cavity 125 and inner sole 118 positioned onthe sole base 102.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate a first embodiment for the formation of the cavity150 and insert 112. In FIG. 3A, the cavity 150 is formed in the solebase 102 with cavity wall 154 being spaced from the exposed side wall114 to form an outsole 115. The cavity 150 is not a through cavityincludes a sole back layer 153 extending from side to side to form thecavity back surface 152. As shown in this example, the cavity wall 154includes a groove 156 positioned adjacent to the back surface 152thereby forming a cavity lip 158 adjacent to the outsole 115 and thebottom surface of the sole 102. FIG. 3B illustrates a mating insert 112that includes insert side edge or side wall 169 that has a protrusion166 dimension for mating with the cavity groove 156. The insert sidewall 169 extends downward from the protrusion 166 with wall extension164 that conforms to the cavity lip 158 of the cavity wall 154. Theshape and dimensions of the insert side wall 169 corresponds with theshape and dimensions of the cavity wall 154 for insertion of the insert112 therein as shown in FIG. 3C in an illustration of the assembled sole102.

FIGS. 4A-C similarly illustrates a second embodiment for the formationof the cavity 150 and insert 112. In FIG. 4A, the cavity 150 is formedin the sole base 102 with cavity wall 154 being spaced from the exposedside wall 114 to form an outsole 115. The cavity 150 is also not athrough cavity includes a sole back layer 153 extending from side toside to form the cavity back surface 152. As shown in this example, thecavity wall 154 includes a groove 156 but in this embodiment, the groove156 is positioned mid-way between the cavity back surface 152 and thebottom surface as defined by the outsole 115. In this case, the cavitywall 154 includes a back cavity lip 159 that is adjacent to the backsurface 152 that then forms the groove 156 and a front cavity lip 158that is adjacent to the outsole 115 and the bottom surface of the sole102. FIG. 4B illustrates a mating insert 112 that includes insert sidewall 169 that has a protrusion 166 dimension for mating with the cavitygroove 156, and an inner side wall portion 167 that conforms to the backlip 159 for full insertion into the cavity 150. The protrusion 166conforms to the groove 156 and the outer wall extension 164 conforms tothe cavity lip 158 of the cavity wall 169. The shape and dimensions ofthe insert side wall 166 corresponds with the shape and dimensions ofthe cavity wall 154 for insertion of the insert 112 therein as shown inFIG. 3C in an illustration of the assembled sole 102.

FIGS. 5A-C similarly illustrates a third embodiment for the formation ofthe cavity 150 and insert 112, but in this embodiment the cavity in thesole 102 is a through cavity 150. As shown in FIG. 5A, the cavity 150 isformed in the sole base 102 so that the sole has the two out soles 115separated and not coupled at cross-section A-A of the sole 102. In thisembodiment, the cavity wall 154 and insert 112 are similarly formed tothat shown in FIG. 4A-4C but without the back portion 153 and thereforewithout the back surface 152. As shown in FIG. 5C, the insert 112 isdimensioned so that the insole 118 (or a mid-sole not shown) is engagedwith the back or top surface 162 of the insert 112.

As shown in each of these embodiments, the insert 112 is alsodimensioned to have a downward extending portion 165 that extendsdownward towards the walking surface as compared to the out sole 115 orother portions of the sole 102. The extended portion 165 of the sidewall 169 of the insert 112 can be the entire cross sectional area of theinsert 112 or only portions of the insert 112 such as one or more of thenon-skid features or portions of the bottom surface of the insert 112.The extent of the downward extending distance of the downward extendingportion 165 of all or a portion of the insert 112 or any non-skidfeature thereof provides for contact of the non-skid insert 112 on thewalking surface during normal use of the shoe 100 to provide thenon-skid feature thereof. While FIGS. 3C, 4C, and 5C all illustrate thatthe downward extending portion 165 is a slight downward extendeddistance, this dimension can be greater or less than illustrated asthese drawings are only exemplary and art not to scale. In someembodiments, this downward extending portion 165 is only slight as shownso that the general appearance of the high heel shoe 100 does not changefrom that of other high heel shoes, e.g., the general observer would notsee the insert 112 nor the downward extending portion 165 but wouldgenerally only see the side wall 114 of the sole 102. In otherembodiments, the amount of downward extension of downward extendingportion 165 can be increased.

Further, while not shown, but as disclosed above, an adhesive can beused to couple and secure the insert 112 within the cavity 150 eitherbetween the cavity walls 154 and the insert side walls 169 or the backsurface 162 of the insert either the bottom surface 152 of the cavity150 or the bottom surface 119 of the insole 118. The adhesive is notshown in these figures but will be understood to one of ordinary skillin the art.

Referring now to the heel 108 as discussed above, FIGS. 6A-6F illustratevarious aspects and features. FIG. 6A is a side perspective view; FIG.6B is a front perspective view; FIG. 6C is a top perspective view; FIG.6D is a right side view; and FIG. 6E is a bottom view of a heel 108 thatis separated from the shoe sole 102 and other components of the shoe 100for illustration of the specific components thereof. As shown, heel 108for a high heel shoe is between about 2 inches and about 5 inches inheight. The heel 108 includes a top or proximal end 130 which is widenedfor coupling to or association with the back portion 109 of the sole102.

The back edge 126 of the proximal end 130 can be formed with the backedge 126 of the sole 102. The front edge of the proximal end is definedby the demarcation edge 110. As addressed above, the heel width of theproximal end HW₃ of the heel 108 can range depending on the size of theshoe as well as the design of the shoe, but HW₄ often ranges betweenabout 1.375 to about 1.75 inches. The length proximal end HW₄ as shownin FIG. 6D can also have similar sizing or can be adjusted for theparticular implementation.

The heel 108 extends downward a distance of HL₃ from the proximal end130 to a narrowed shank portion 138. The width HW₂ of the shank portion138 is significantly narrowed as compared to the wide of the proximalend 130 and HW₂ typically ranges between about 0.3 and about 0.4 inchesand in one embodiment is about 0.31 inches and in another embodiment isabout 0.36 inches. The length HL₂ of the shank portion 138 will varydepending on the overall height of the heel. The heel 108 has a lowerportion referred herein as the distal end 135 that has a length of HL₁.The distal end 135 defines a distal heel end 132 that can include anintegrated heel tip 134 or a heel tip 134 that is attached to thewidened distal end 135 to form the heel end 132. The widened distal end135 can have a width HW₁ range of cross sectional widths of betweenabout 0.8 inches to about 1.25 inches and in one embodiment is about0.89 inches, in a second embodiment is about 1.0 inches.

FIG. 6F is a cross-section top down view along sectional line X-X ofFIG. 6B showing one illustration of the comparative width HW₂ of theheel relative to the HW₁ width of the distal end 135. In thisillustration, the distal end 135 has a star shape, but as addressedabove, the distal end 135 can have other suitable shapes.

FIGS. 7A-7F provide views of another embodiment of the heel 108. FIG. 7Bis a similar top down cross section view along sectional line X-X. FIG.7C shows an embodiment having the distal end 135 including a centercavity 151 for receiving a mating heel tip 134. An insert heel tip 134for the cavity 151 is illustrated in FIG. 7D. As shown, the heel tip 134defines the distal heel end 132 which can include anti-skid features.Further, as shown the heel tip 134 can include an outer portion 137 andan inner portion 141 wherein the inner portion is inserted into thecavity 151 and the outer portion 137 extend to cover the remaining endof the distal end 135. The heel tip insert 134 can include a centerportion 137 with a width of IW₁ that corresponds to the width of thecavity 151 and an outer width IW₂ that corresponds to the width of thedistal end HW₁. FIG. 7F illustrates the heel tip insert 134 positionedin the cavity 151 wherein the heel tip 134 forms the distal heel end 132with the outer portion 137 and the inner portion 141. The outer portion137 and the inner portion 141 of the heel tip insert 134 can be composedof the same material or a different material. The inner portion 141, theouter portion 137 or their combination can be formed to have a shapethat is creative, stylish, distinctive, or that acts as a trademark,while providing an improved traction and larger surface area to preventslippage of the heal and the insertion and catching of the heel inholes, slots or crevices of the walking surface.

FIG. 8 illustrates a heel 108 as described above on a common walkingsurface having a metal grate 202 such as is often used in sidewalks. Themetal grate 202 includes beams 204 and laterals 204 that form holes 208.These grate holes 208 typically have a surface grate width SG_(W) and asurface grate length SG_(L). The distal end 135 of the heel 108 includesthe heel tip 134 and the heel tip end 134 that has a minimal heel widthHW₁ that is greater than the width SG_(W) and/or length SG_(L) of thecommon grate 202. As such, a wearer of the shoe 100 with the widenedheel 108 as described herein will not have the heel end 135 get caughtor stuck in any of the grate holes 208. However, the heel 108 will stillhave a stylish narrowed shank that is desired by wearers of high heelshoes. The sole insert 112 and the heel tip 132 can also be formed of anon-slip or non-skid material that reduces slippage of the shoe 100 onslippery or wet walking surfaces such as a wet grate 202.

The heel 108 of the footwear is designed so that it holds up againstnormal wear and tear more so than traditional high heels. The heel shapestarts out wide, thins through the middle shank portion for stylisticand proportion purposes, and then gets wide again at the distal end 135where the heel touches the ground, which provides more support for thewearer at the heel 108 of the footwear. In some embodiments, a rubbertread piece can be affixed to the bottom of the heel end 134, similar tothat of a tire, for anti-slip utility and traction with each step. Theshape and size of the heel end 134 and/or the distal end 135 is suchthat the heel doesn't slip into and get stuck in grates, cracks, holes,or other types of breaks, which gives added security and stability forthe wearer with each step.

When describing elements or features and/or embodiments thereof, thearticles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that thereare one or more of the elements or features. The terms “comprising”,“including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements or features beyond those specificallydescribed.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes can be madeto the exemplary embodiments and implementations described above withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshould be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is further to be understood that the processes or steps describedherein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring theirperformance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It is alsoto be understood that additional or alternative processes or steps maybe employed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sole for a women's high heel shoe comprising: ashoe sole base having a front, a middle and a back, the sole baseincludes a lower sole positioned at the front for supporting a ball andtoes of a wearer of the high heel shoe and an upper sole positioned atthe back for supporting the heel of the wearer and a heel of the shoeand a shank sole defined by the middle between the lower sole and theupper sole, the base having an outer perimeter defining an outer shapeof the shoe sole base by an exposed sidewall thereof, the sole basehaving an top base surface and an opposing bottom base surface and beingcomposed of a sole base material; a cavity in the lower sole base havinga shape that substantially conforms to a shape of the lower sole, thecavity having a cavity perimeter that is set back from the outerperimeter defining the lower sole and defining an outsole between thesole base perimeter and the cavity perimeter there between, the cavityforming a raised cavity wall in the sole base; and an insert positionedin the cavity and coupled to the sole base material, the insert havingan insert shape defined by a periphery that is substantially the same asthe shape of the cavity, the insert having an outer edge, a top surfaceand a bottom surface, the bottom surface including one or more anti-skidfeatures thereon, the insert being composed of an insert materialselected from an material having anti-skid characteristics and beingdifferent than the sole material.
 2. The shoe sole of claim 1 whereinthe sole base material is a leather and the insert material is a polymeror a rubber.
 3. The shoe sole of claim 1 wherein the insert is coupledto the sole base by an adhesive.
 4. The shoe sole of claim 1 wherein theinsert includes a plurality of anti-skid features on the bottom of thesurface.
 5. The shoe sole of claim 1, further comprising: the sole basehaving a groove along at least a portion of the raised cavity wallbetween the top surface of the sole base and spaced apart from thebottom surface of the sole, and the insert having a protrusion about aportion of the periphery of the insert corresponding to a mating portionof the raised cavity wall having the groove formed therein, wherein theinsert is coupled to the sole base material at least in part byplacement of the protrusion of the insert into the corresponding grooveof the raised cavity wall.
 6. The shoe sole of claim 5 wherein theinsert is also coupled to the sole base material by an adhesive appliedto at least one of the groove and the protrusion.
 7. The shoe sole ofclaim 1 wherein the cavity has a predefined depth from an outer surfaceof the lower sole to a bottom cavity surface and wherein coupling theinsert is coupled to the sole base material by an adhesive between theupper surface of the insert to the bottom cavity surface of the sole. 8.The shoe sole of claim 7, further comprising: the sole base having agroove along at least a portion of the raised cavity wall between thebottom surface of the cavity and spaced apart from the bottom surface ofthe sole, and the insert having a protrusion about a portion of theperiphery of the insert corresponding to a mating portion of the raisedcavity wall having the groove formed therein, wherein the insert iscoupled to the shoe base material at least in part by placement of theprotrusion of insert into the corresponding groove of the raised cavitywall.
 9. The shoe sole of claim 1 wherein the cavity is a through cavityextending between the bottom base surface and the upper base surface.10. A method of making a lower sole for a women's high heel shoecomprising: providing a shoe sole base defining a lower sole positionedat a front for supporting a ball and toes of a wearer of the high heelshoe, the base having an outer perimeter defining the shape of the uppersole and an exposed sidewall thereof, the sole being composed of a solebase material; creating a cavity in the lower sole base having a shapethat conforms to a shape of the lower sole, the cavity having a cavityperimeter that is set back from the outer perimeter defining the lowersole and defining an outsole there between, the cavity defining a raisedcavity wall about a perimeter of the cavity; creating an insert havingan insert shape defined by a periphery that is substantially the same asthe shape of the cavity, the insert having an outer edge, a top surfaceand a bottom surface, the bottom surface including one or more anti-skidfeatures, the insert being composed of an insert material selected froma material having anti-skid characteristics and being different than thesole material; inserting the insert into the cavity; and coupling theinsert to the base material after insertion in the cavity.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the sole base material is a leather and theinsert material is a polymer or a rubber.
 12. The method of claim 10wherein the coupling includes applying an adhesive.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 wherein creating an insert is a molding.
 14. The method ofclaim 10 wherein creating a shoe sole and creating a cavity are eachperformed in a single molding process.
 15. The method of claim 10,further comprising forming the plurality of anti-skid features on thebottom of the surface of the insert using a molding process.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: forming a groove along at leasta portion of the raised cavity wall between the top surface of the solebody and spaced apart from the bottom surface of the sole, whereincreating an insert includes forming a protrusion about a portion of theperiphery of the insert corresponding to a mating portion of the raisedcavity wall having the groove formed therein, and wherein couplingincludes placing the protrusion of insert into the corresponding grooveof the raised cavity wall.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein couplingincludes applying an adhesive to at least one of the groove and theprotrusion prior to the placing of the protrusion into the groove. 18.The method of claim 10 wherein the cavity has a predefined depth from anouter surface of the lower sole to a bottom cavity surface and whereincoupling the insert includes coupling the upper surface of the insert tothe bottom cavity surface of the sole.
 19. The method of claim 18,further comprising: forming a groove along at least a portion of theraised cavity wall between the bottom surface of the cavity and spacedapart from the bottom surface of the sole, wherein creating an insertincludes forming a protrusion about a portion of the periphery of theinsert corresponding to a mating portion of the raised cavity wallhaving the groove formed therein, and wherein coupling includes placingthe protrusion of insert into the corresponding groove of the raisedcavity wall.
 20. The method of claim 10 wherein the cavity is a throughcavity extending between the bottom base surface and the upper basesurface.
 21. A heel for a women's high heel shoe comprising: a heel mainbody having a proximal end defining an upper attachment portion, a heeldistal end and a heel shank defined there between; the proximal endconfigured for attachment to a heel portion of a shoe sole base andhaving a wide dimension corresponding to an outer periphery thereof; thedistal end having an outer periphery with an outer dimension betweenabout 0.9 and about 1.25 inches; and the heel shank having a narrowedneck portion with an outer dimension being comparatively less than theouter dimension of the distal end and between 0.25 and 0.40 inches. 22.The shoe heel of claim 21, further comprising a surface contact portioncoupled to the distal end, the surface contact portion being composed ofa non-skid material.
 23. The shoe heel of claim 21 wherein the neckportion of the heel shank is substantially circular.
 24. The shoe heelof claim 21 wherein the distal end has a shape selected from the groupconsisting of a polygon, a regular convex polygon, an equiangularpolygon, a star shape, flower shape, and rounded corner shapes thereof.25. The shoe heel of claim 21 wherein the heel shank has a narrowed neckportion with an outer dimension is about 0.3 to about 0.36 inches andthe distal end is about 1.0 inch.
 26. A women's high heel shoecomprising: a shoe sole base having a front, a middle and a back and atop surface and a bottom surface, the sole base includes a lower solepositioned at the front for supporting a ball and toes of a wearer ofthe high heel shoe with an upper sole positioned at the back forsupporting the heel of the wearer and for supporting a heel of the shoe,and a shank sole defined in the middle between the lower sole and theupper sole, the base having an outer perimeter defining a shape of thesole base and an exposed sidewall thereof, the sole being composed of asole base material; a cavity in the lower sole of the base having ashape that conforms to a shape of the lower sole, the cavity having acavity perimeter that is set back from the outer perimeter defining thelower sole and defining an outsole there between, the cavity defining araised cavity wall in the sole base about a perimeter of the cavity; aninsert positioned in the cavity and coupled to the sole base, the inserthaving an insert shape defined by a periphery that is substantially thesame as the shape of the cavity, the insert having an outer edge, a topsurface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including one or moreanti-skid features, the insert being composed of an insert materialselected from an material having anti-skid characteristics and beingdifferent than the sole material; and a heel main body having a proximalend defining an upper attachment portion, a heel distal end and a heelshank defined there between, the proximal end configured for attachmentto the upper sole of the base and having a wide dimension correspondingto an outer periphery thereof, the distal end having an outer peripherywith an outer dimension between about 0.9 and about 1.25 inches and theheel shank having a narrowed neck portion with an outer dimension beingcomparatively less than the outer dimension of the distal end andbetween 0.25 and 0.40 inches.
 27. The shoe of claim 26 wherein the heelshank has a narrowed neck portion with an outer dimension is about 0.3to about 0.36 inches and the distal end is about 1.0 inch.
 28. The shoeof claim 26 wherein the sole base material is a leather and the insertmaterial is a polymer or a rubber.
 29. The shoe of claim 26 wherein theinsert is coupled to the sole base material by an adhesive.
 30. The shoeof claim 26 wherein the insert includes one or more anti-skid featureson the bottom of the surface thereof.
 31. The shoe of claim 26, furthercomprising: the sole base having a groove along at least a portion ofthe raised cavity wall between the top surface of the sole body andspaced apart from the bottom surface of the sole, and the insert havinga protrusion about a portion of the periphery of the insertcorresponding to a mating portion of the raised cavity wall having thegroove formed therein, wherein the insert is coupled to the sole basematerial at least in part by placement of the protrusion of the insertinto the corresponding groove of the raised cavity wall.
 32. The shoe ofclaim 31 wherein the insert is coupled to the sole base material by anadhesive applied to at least one of the groove and the protrusion. 33.The shoe of claim 26 wherein the cavity has a predefined depth from anouter surface of the lower sole to a bottom cavity surface and whereincoupling the insert is coupled to the sole base material by an adhesivebetween the upper surface of the insert to the bottom cavity surface ofthe sole.
 34. The shoe of claim 33, further comprising: the sole basehaving a groove along at least a portion of the raised cavity wallbetween the bottom surface of the cavity and spaced apart from thebottom surface of the sole, and the insert having a protrusion about aportion of the periphery of the insert corresponding to a mating portionof the raised cavity wall having the groove formed therein, and whereinthe insert is coupled to the shoe base material at least in part byplacement of the protrusion of insert into the corresponding groove ofthe raised cavity wall.
 35. The shoe of claim 26 wherein the cavity is athrough cavity extending between the bottom base surface and the upperbase surface.
 36. The shoe of claim 26, further comprising a surfacecontact portion coupled to the distal end of the heel, the surfacecontact portion being composed of a non-skid material.
 37. The shoe ofclaim 26 wherein the neck portion of the heel shank is substantiallycircular.
 38. The shoe of claim 26 wherein the distal end of the heelhas a shape selected from the group consisting of a polygon, a regularconvex polygon, an equiangular polygon, a star shape, flower shape, androunded corner shapes thereof.